New Hire Orientation

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.

Henri Nouwen

What kinds of things must be considered when a new staff member joins our team?

Over the course of my career, I have written a bunch of new hire orientations (NHO). I'm even writing a class on writing NHOs. Call it Onboarding or New Employee Orientation or what you want, it's always the process of acculturation of someone on the outside to the inside.

Today, I sit in the coffee shop of a new company, having been through the interview process and reviewed the eLearning benefits module and the history of the company. I'm thinking about the feelings of a new hire. There is anticipation about what's ahead. There is apprehension about all of the unknowns. There is eagerness about what is brought and looking to dig in and get started.

As trainers, we need to remember that before we immerse people in the new culture and the zillion facts what makes up most orientations. We need to help people relax and connect. We also need to answer their questions. Perhaps a useful activity would be to start with a Post-It activity and let the new staff list their questions to get them on the table and review them throughout the day.

We are the experts in the culture and facts, but they are the experts in whatever they bring to the table. Let's validate that.

It's also really important that the team makes the new hire welcome. I once started a job and the day I arrived, there was no orientation. There was also no place for me to sit, no computer for me to use, and no log ins prepared. I wondered, "Have I shown up on the wrong day?" That was indicative of the chaos that ruled that organization, and should have been a warning sign to me. In contrast, I started at another organization, and there was a welcome poster in my cube signed by all the members of the team. There was a picture directory with names and titles of the people on the department. There was a team breakfast prepared for a little social time before the orientation session. During the break, my new boss took me to lunch. I felt like a welcome guest rather than an intruder.


Sure, we need to deal with all kinds of paperwork when an employee begins at a new company, but let's not forget that the employee is a person longing for connection and reassurance that they have made the right choice to work with us. Let's start them off feeling like a valued team member so they can get to the business of what they were hired for, and help our company's success.